Well-pump lubricator



pril 21, 1931. A, c. CARSON WELL PUMP LUBRICATOR Filed Aug. l5, 1928 ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 21, 1931 PATENT OFFICE ANDREW CVCARSON, OF SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA WELL-PUMP LUBRICATOR Application led August 13, 1928. Serial No. 299,287.

My invention relates to pumps of the plunger type employed inthe pumping of oil wells and more particularly to a pump of that character having an all metal plunger.

In the installation and operation of a well pump employing an all metal plunger, considerable difficulty is experienced in determining and providing for the proper working clearance of the plunger in the working barrel to suit the conditions of heat, fluid, gas

pressure and the like in the well in which the pump is to be used.

In ordinary practice the selection of an all metal plunger having the proper working clearance in the pump barrel is accomplished by actual test for each well. Plungers of various sizes are tried in the pump barrel at the bottom of the well until a plunger functions eiiciently with a working clearance that will insure against binding of the plunger in the pump barrel.

The principal obj ect of my invention therefore is to adapt a plunger for eflicient operation in a pump barrel under varying well conditions, thus eliminating the requirement. of provision of numerous plungers of different sizes for serving the pump, and the testing of the plurality of plungers for selecting the plunger best adapted to the conditions.

A further object of the invention is to preventexce'ssive flexing and consequent breakage of the sucker rods by removing to a considerable degree the frictional resistance of the plunger in its working travel in the pump barrel, thereby also prolonging the period of serviceability of a pump.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention,I have provided improved details of structure, t-he preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein: p

Fig. 1 is a central longitudinal section through a well pump showing my lubricating device mounted thereon.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the upper portion of the pump, particularly illustrating the lubricating device.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 3 3, Fig. 2 illustrating the concentric spacing of the lubricator with relation to the pump.

Fig. 4: is a section on the line 4:-4, Fig. 2 showing the check valves controlling the outlet of lubricant from the lubricant chamber.

Referring in detail to the drawings 1 designates well tubing ordinarily employed in oil well pumping practice for supporting a pump 2 at the bottom of a well and for conducting the fluid from the well when the pump is actuated by the usual sucker rods 3 which extend through the tubing and connect with actuating means (not shown) at the top of the well.

The pump 2 illustrated in the drawings and herein described is of a well known make and in detail of construction does not form a part of my invention except for modifications whereby a lubricator attachment 4 may be mounted on the pump for lubricating the working elements of the pump as hereafter described. H

The pump 2 includes a barrel 5 connected with the well tubing 1 by a coupling 6, the barrel being divided into upper and lower sections 7 and 8 ofequal length for accommodating a coupling 10 foming a part of the lubricator device 4 hereafter described.

The barrel 5 is fitted with reliners 11 such as are commonly employed in the construction of pump barrels wherein an all metal plunger 12 is reciprocable and operated through its connection with the sucker rods 8.

Attached to the lower end of the barrel 5 is a collar 13 and supported from the collar is a tube 14 having a fitting 15 at its lower end, the fitting being provided witha standing valve 16 and fitted with a fluid strainer 17 in accordance with standard installationpractice.

The lubricator coupling 1K0 interposed between the adjoining ends of the barrel sections includes a cylindrical body 18 having an upstanding annular flange 19 offset inwardly from the body to form a shoulder 20 the flange being internally threaded for engagement by the barrel section 7 and externally threaded for supporting a tubular container 2l, the end of the container being engageable with the shoulder 20.

from which it maypass into the pump bar-` A central opening 22 in the coupling 10 is ron the body 18 provides a counterbore 24 at the lower end of the opening 22 to'receive the upper end ofthe lower barrel section 8 for threaded engagement with the flange 23, the flanges 19 and 23 being equally offset from the opening to form an inwardly horizontally projecting annular flange or ledge 25 against the opposite faces of which the adjacent ends of the barrel sections abut. l

Extending outwardly through the flange 25 from the opening 23 are ports 26 communicating with valve'seat recesses 27 lin the body 18, the upper ends of the recesses being provided withtapered seats 28 .and connected with ducts 29 extending upwardly through the upstanding flange 20.

Located in the k,recesses 27 are ball'check 'valves 30 adapted forl cooperation with the 1 seats 28, the valves being normally supported in open position on screws 31 secured in the wallsy of the body vmember 1-8 with the valve centers above the axes of the ports. Y A

The tubular container 21vmounted on the coupling 10 extends upwardly in concentric spaced-'relation with t-he pump barrel and the tubing, thus forming an annular chamber 32 Vfor containing a lubricant, thelubricant havi ing access to the interior ofthe barrel through the'ducts 29, recesses 27 and Vports 26 for lubricating the plunger when the pump is in operation.

'Formed at the upper end-ofthe container 21fisf a reduced'threaded portion 33, and a packing nut 311 having acentral opening v3) rotatably engaging the tubing is pro-vided with a counterbore 36 fitted with packing rings 37, the lower end of the counterbor'e por-Y tion'being threadedly engaged on the portion 33 of the container for moving the "nut to urge the packing members into sealed relation'with the tubing. l

A threaded aperture'38 in the tubing admits fluid from the well into the 'container rel for lubricating the plunger as lhereto-fore described. ,f l A l When the fluid in .la well is unsatisfactory for lubricating purposes, the container is filled with a proper lubricant before the pump vvis lowered into a well, the opening is closed'by a plug 39, .and with each successive pulling operation' the supply of lubricant vin the container is 'replenished before the pump is again lowered into a well.

It is apparent thatfthe lubricant admitted to the circumference of the barrel intermediliners, but reliably supplies a liquid seal to fill the clearance space and effect a sealed relation between the plungerandthe reliners. Therefore, .any variation from proper working clearance o-f the plunger in the barrel for particular working conditions may be compensated by the liquid seal, and a single plunger is thus adaptable for efficient work under different conditions.

Substantial reduction in the frictional resistance of the plunger in its working travel in the pump barrel, is provided by the lubrication and also by reason of the fact that the plunger. may have a substantial clearance, whereby excessive flexing and consequent breakage of the sucker rods are obviated, and the period` of serviceability of the pump is prolonged. i Y

Should it become necessaryto` remove the plunger from the barrel, it is withdrawn in the ordinary manner and the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid in the tubing then'admitted to direct communication with the ports 26 forces the ball valves 30 against the seats 28 thereby preventingleakage of the lubricant from the container 22 into the barrel while the plunger is removed. l

Leakage of air between the plungerand the pump barrel while the plunger is operating is sufficient to supply the necessaryy air to the lubricant container through the outlet ports, since the outflow of lubricant from the container is relatively slow.

What I claimand desire to secure by lLetters Patent is: Y i

1. In combination with well tubing,l a pump barrel suspended from the tubing, an annular container suspended fromjthe tubing having a body member forming a closure for its lower end, including a passageway leading to the pump barrel and having a ballchamber and a valve seat in the section leading from the container, a ball in said chamber movable to said seat under pressure of fluid flowing from the barrel, and means in said passageway for supporting the ball tov prevent closure of the section Vof the v`passageway leadingjto the barrel, f

2. In combination with welltubing, a pump barrel suspended from the tubing, a container surrounding adjacent portions ofthe tubing and barrel, and having ports opening to the tubing and to the pump barrel, means for closing the port opening to the tubing, and a valve responsive to hydrostaticy head in the barrel to close the port opening to the barrel.

In testimony whereof I axmy signature.

Aiunnnw o. Casson.

ately of its lengthnot only lubricates the barl rel in its frictional engagement with the re- 

